The management of Cork Airport will need to attract more business to ensure success, according to the Minister for Transport, Mr Brennan, who warned that a new €140 million development alone will not ensure extra flights and passengers.
He hailed the official turning of the sod at the airport yesterday as a great day for Cork and a vote of confidence for the airport. "It says Cork is here to stay. We're providing facilities for it to grow. It's a very good investment," he said.
"It comes with a responsibility on the leaders and managers of Cork Airport to attract the airlines and get the flights. Just because you build terminals doesn't mean that they will come. Cork Airport leadership now has to roll its sleeves up and go out and get the business, and build a success on its success," Mr Brennan said.
The Minister announced that he is finalising plans for the reform of the airports - which may see Aer Rianta demoted from its current role as manager - and has set himself a target of bringing the proposals back to Cabinet by the end of July.
"Our programme for government suggested independence and autonomy, so therefore my job is to work up those proposals to give greater autonomy to those airports," the Minister said.
Contracts for the €140 million development were signed three weeks ago between contractors Rohcon and Aer Rianta, which allow for the building of a new terminal and major support infrastructure. According to Aer Rianta, the development will provide facilities capable of handling Cork's projected growth over the next 10 years, when passenger numbers are expected to reach an annual three million.
The project involves a new terminal building to the rear of the existing facility, though linked to the airfield by extended apron frontage, as well as other utility services.
The Taoiseach, Mr Ahern, said he believed it would be a good thing for the airports to be able to manage their own affairs, independent of each other.
"We've decided for some time that we'd have reform in the airports, and this work is just about finalised. It is clear that the role and contributions of State companies to the economy are changing. Market liberalisation and greater competition present new challenges," said Mr Ahern.